Two US soldiers killed in Apache helicopter crash

Two US Army soldiers died Wednesday when an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter from Fort Hood crashed into a field in central Texas, sparking a large grass fire that prompted evacuations of nearby homes.

The accident occurred around 1:34 p.m. local time south of Salado in Bell County, roughly 30 to 60 miles from the sprawling Fort Hood installation and about 50-60 miles north of Austin.

Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cliff Coleman said 911 calls reported a helicopter down near the 16500 block of Kuykendall Branch Road, about half a mile west of Interstate 35.

Deputies arrived to find the wreckage and an “out-of-control” fire.

“You could tell it was a violent crash,” Coleman said. Both service members aboard were pronounced dead at the scene around 2:30 p.m. by a local justice of the peace. No other injuries were reported, and the aircraft did not strike any homes or structures.

Fort Hood confirmed the aircraft was an AH-64 (or AH-64E) Apache attack helicopter assigned to the base, home of the 1st Cavalry Division.

The two-person crew—typically a pilot in the rear seat and a co-pilot/gunner in the front—were the only people on board.

Officials withheld the soldiers’ identities pending notification of next of kin, in line with standard military protocol.

Their remains were transported to Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood. Some reports indicated the flight may have been a maintenance test or routine training mission, though the Army has not officially confirmed the purpose.

The crash ignited a significant grass fire that burned between 100 and 155 acres, according to various reports, and led to temporary road closures.

The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, which has not been determined.

The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, multi-mission attack helicopter long used by the Army for armed reconnaissance, close combat, and other roles.